Biographical and historical memoirs of Adams, Clay, Hall and Hamilton counties, Nebraska, comprising a condensed history of the state, a number of biographies of distinguished citizens of the same, a brief descriptive history of each of the counties mentioned, and numerous biographical sketches of the citizens of such counties, Part 75

Author: Goodspeed Brothers
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago, The Goodspeed publishing co.
Number of Pages: 820

USA > Nebraska > Adams County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Adams, Clay, Hall and Hamilton counties, Nebraska, comprising a condensed history of the state, a number of biographies of distinguished citizens of the same, a brief descriptive history of each of the counties mentioned, and numerous biographical sketches of the citizens of such counties > Part 75
USA > Nebraska > Clay County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Adams, Clay, Hall and Hamilton counties, Nebraska, comprising a condensed history of the state, a number of biographies of distinguished citizens of the same, a brief descriptive history of each of the counties mentioned, and numerous biographical sketches of the citizens of such counties > Part 75
USA > Nebraska > Hall County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Adams, Clay, Hall and Hamilton counties, Nebraska, comprising a condensed history of the state, a number of biographies of distinguished citizens of the same, a brief descriptive history of each of the counties mentioned, and numerous biographical sketches of the citizens of such counties > Part 75
USA > Nebraska > Hamilton County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Adams, Clay, Hall and Hamilton counties, Nebraska, comprising a condensed history of the state, a number of biographies of distinguished citizens of the same, a brief descriptive history of each of the counties mentioned, and numerous biographical sketches of the citizens of such counties > Part 75

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Daniel F. Fisher, farmer and stock-raiser, Fairfield, Neb. Mr. Fisher has been unusually active in the affairs of this portion of this county. ever contributing by precept and example to live the life of an . honest, upright and industrious agriculturist. He was born in Francestown, Hillsborough County, N. H., on April 14, 1834, to the union of Moses, Jr., and Fanney (Fuller) Fisher. Moses Fisher, Jr., was born in Fran- cestown, N. H., on October 25, 1790, and was the son of Moses and Louisa (Thorp) Fisher. The father was born in Dedham, Mass., November 27, 1755, and the mother September 26, 1762. The mother of our subject was born August 17, 1793, and was the daughter of Andrew Fuller, of Lynd- borough, N. H. The children of Moses Fisher, Jr., and wife were named as follows: Louisa (wife of Moses H. Bradford), Elizabeth T. (wife of The- ron Palmer), Moses B. (married Tersis A. Varnum). Fanney Jane (married John M. Sanborn), Harriet

(married John Tevere). Hannah, Frances and Mary Ann died while very young. Mary Frances died at the age of eighteen years. George Ed- ward was united in marriage to Mary K. Pettingill. Daniel F. Fisher received only a good district- school education, and when nineteen years of age apprenticed himself in Gage, Warner & Whitney's machine shop, Nashua, N. H., where he remained until he had served his time, which was three years. From there he went to Salem, Mass., where he followed his trade for some six months, returning to Nashua, where he was in the railroad shop for a while. From there he went to Milford, N. H., and wishing another change he went to Manchester, N. H., and found employment in the Amoskegg locomotive shops. In September, 1857, he emigrated to Denmark, Lee County, Iowa, where he found employment on the farm with a half brother of his father's, Asa Fisher, with whom he remained one year. He then bought a small farm and erected a house, and set out an orchard and small fruit and started in the small fruit business, besides making many other improve- ments on the place. In 1859 he returned to Nashua, N. H., where he resumed his trade. He finally drifted again to Manchester. Febru- ary 29, 1860, his father died and he was detained settling up the estate. In February, 1861, he was married to Miss Mary A. Bullen, daughter of William and Hannah (White) Bullen. The father was born in 1801, and died in 1865, and the mother was born in 1800, and died at the age of seventy five years. Mrs. Fisher was born in Hallowell, Maine, on February 12, 1837, and is the third in the family of five children, viz. : Sarah E. (wife of John R. Smith), Hannah Frances (wife of Larking Trask), Julia Octavia (wife of Henry Carlton), and Joseph W., (who was a pris- oner at Andersonville prison during the late war, and was supposed to have starved to death). Daniel F. Fisher enlisted in the engineer regiment of the West, afterward known as the First Mis sonri Engineers, also as Bissell's engineers, Sep- tember 15, 1861, and participated in the siege of New Madrid about March 8, 1862, and Island No. 10, April 8; siege of Corinth, which was

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evacuated May 30 of same year; battle of Corinth, October 4, 1862; siege of Vicksburg, Miss., in 1863, and Atlanta in 1864. A great deal of his time was spent in building fortifications and keeping the way open for transportation. After the surrender of Atlanta, his three years hav- ing expired, Mr. Fisher was discharged on No- vember 2, 1864, and returned to Denmark, Lee County, Iowa, where he was engaged in the nursery business until the fall of 1872. He then sold ont, made a lengthy visit among old home places in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine, and in 1873 came to Nebraska. He is a Republican in politics, has held a number of town offices, and is now township clerk, holding his second term. He is a member of the George C. Oliver Post No. 43, G. A. R., Fairfield, also of Fairfield Lodge No. 84, A. F. & A. M., and he and wife are members of the Congregational Church. He has always been a leading spirit in benevolent acts, caring for the sick and needy, and supporting enterprises of public benefit. To his marriage were born two children: Walter H. and Jennie L., both single.

Fedde Fixsen, farmer and stock-raiser, Inland, Neb. The reader is herewith handed a plain record of a nseful man; for certainly, if what is the most use is of the most valne, then indeed it is in recording the lives of representative men that biography is to be useful to posterity. Fedde Fixsen is a native of Germany, born in 1826, and is the fourth in a family of nine children, the result of the union of Fedde and Margaret Fixsen, natives also of Germany, where they passed their entire lives, the father dying in 1840 and the mother in 1847. Their children were named as follows: Betti, John F., Fredricke, Margaret, Fedde, Cath- erine, Angnsta, Sophia and Mary. Fedde Fixsen, Jr., attended the schools of his native country and served six years in the German army. In 1853 he came to the United States, settled in Pennsylvania, Fulton County, and there carried on farming. He was married in that State, in 1855, to Mrs. Mary H. (Blair) Kerr, widow of a Mr. Kerr, and the fruits of this union were six children: Anna (now Mrs. Friday, of Minnesota), Minnie (now Mrs. Dilinger, of Kansas), Holmes (in Kansas), Nettie

(at home), Erwin (married, and resides in Kansas) and Otto (who was one of the first to remove to Nebraska, and died in that State in 1872). Mr. Fixsen continued to till the soil in Pennsylvania nn- til the spring of 1872, when he emigrated to Ne- braska and settled where he now resides. He took 160 acres of land, also has 160 acres of railroad land, and forty acres are laid off in town lots. The town of Inland is on his place. He has been very successful since coming to Nebraska and has accumulated all his property by his own exertions. He was one of the pioneers of Clay County, and his house for years was a stopping place for all the emigrants going west. He and wife are both members of the Presbyterian Church, and in his political preference he affiliates with the Republican party. He is an honest, upright citizen, and has ever been willing to assist in all laudable enter- prises for the good of the county. He has helped to improve 280 acres of land and on this he has a nice orchard, a good grove and is nicely fixed in every respect. He is quite deeply interested in raising stock, especially Hereford cattle and Poland- China hogs. In March, 1865, Mr. Fixsen enlisted for three years, or during the war, in the One Hun- dred and Third Pennsylvania Infantry, and was discharged in July of that year.

Dr. John T. Fleming, dentist, Harvard, Neb. Art as well as science has in recent years made rapid strides, but in no direction has it been more marked in its course and more beneficial in its re- sults than in the profession of dentistry. Among those prominently engaged in this profession in Harvard is Dr. John T. Fleming, who was born in England, March 30, 1841, and who is the son of John and Mary (Shergold) Fleming, and the grand- son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Goulden) Fleming. The maternal grandparents of the Doctor were Richard and Sarah (Douty) Shergold, the former of whom lived to be ninety-nine years and eleven months of age. Dr. John T. Fleming passed his youth and early manhood in his native country, and early in life studied medicine, surgery and dentistry, making himself thoroughly familiar with those subjects, and graduating from the Royal College of Surgeons, the Royal College of Physicians and

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the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, all located in London. For five years prior to emi- grating to America he practiced medicine and den- tal surgery, and was also a partner in a drug store at Downton. He was married November 7, 1864, to Eliza Mary Down, daughter of Aaron Down, who for twenty seven years was in the service of the British army, and who for his long and faith- ful service and for his meritorious condnet in the battle of Waterloo was awarded two medals. The mother of Mrs. Fleming, before her marriage, was Miss Martha Crabbe. In 1872 Dr. Fleming and wife emigrated to America and on reaching this country came directly to Nebraska. They located in Linn Township, Clay County, on an eighty. acre homestead, and there resided seven years. They then located in Harvard, where the Doctor has since devoted his attention to the practice of dentistry. He is thoroughly skilled in his profes- sion and besides his professional training he pos- sesses a fine classical and literary education. He and wife are members of the Episcopal Church. In politics Dr. Fleming is a Republican and has served two years and eight months as supervisor of Clay County, also one term as city clerk of Har- vard. He is a man of superior intelligence and as a citizen is esteemed and respected by all who know him.

John Flick, farmer and stock-raiser, Inland, Neb. Mr. Flick was originally from Dane County, Wis., where his birth occurred in 1853 and his parents, Joseph and Savenah (Zink) Flick, were natives of Northampton County, Pa., the for- mer born in 1818 and the latter in 1820. The parents were married in 1838 and the father fol- lowed farming in the State of Wisconsin for many years. They were the parents of eight children, all now living: Calvin (married and resides in Clarke, Wis., was in the Eleventh Wisconsin In- fantry during the war), Charlotte (now Mrs. Peter- son, residing in Inland township, Clay County, Neb.), Helen (now Mrs. Poole, living in Hastings, Neb ), Sarah (now Mrs. Merrell, living in Easton, Northampton County, Pa.), Frances (now Mrs. Jones, residing in Thomas County, Kas.), John (at. Inland), Charles (living in Omaha) and Demma

(now Mrs. Janes, residing in Phelps County). Mr. Flick is the grandfather of thirty two children, all living, and seven great grundchildren, who are also living. Mr. Flick immigrated to Wisconsin at an early day (1844) settling near Madison, but later moved to Nebraska and settled in Clay County in 1871. He followed farming for some time but at last retired and now resides in Hustings. He has been a successful business man and one who has the confidence and respect of all acquainted with him. He and wife are members of the Pres- byterian Church and he is a Democrat in poli- tics. John Flick, the grandfather of our subject, founded a village in Northampton County, Pa., and named it Flickville. John Flick (our subject) received his education in Wisconsin and came west to Clay County, Neb., with his parents. In 1873 he started out for himself, bought 120 acres of land, began improving the same, and now has a very fine place. He was married in 1879 to Miss Alice Sluyter, a native of Genesee County, Mich .. born in 1860, and the daughter of J. Sluyter, of Harvard, Clay County. To Mr. and Mrs. Flick were born five children: Sarah, Lena. Myrtle, Reu- ben J. and Howard. Mr. Flick was elected justice of the peace in 1882 and assessor in 1888 and 1889. He is a member of the Farmers' Alliance and in his political views is a Democrat. He and Mrs. Flick are worthy members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. Mr. Flick has been a member of the school board for six years and is deeply inter- ested in educational matters. He takes some in. terest in stock-raising and has Hereford cattle, Poland China hogs and Clydesdale horses. He likes Nebraska and thinks of making it his per- manent home.

A. J. Frantz, farmer and stock-raiser, Fairfield, Neb. Nowhere within the limits of Clay County can there be found a man who takes greater inter- est in its agricultural and stock affairs than A. J. Frantz, or who strives continually to promote and advance these interests to a higher plane. He was born in Allegany County, Md., in 1847, and is the eldest son born to Joseph and Charlotte (Fike) Frantz, the father a native of Bedford County, Md., born in 1815. The latter began life for him-

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self as a farmer at the age of twenty eight years, and was married to Miss Fike in 1846. This union resulted in the birth of four chil- dren: A. J., B. F. (of Paw Paw, Lee County, Ill.), Linda and Jennie. The father removed to Pennsylvania in abont 1856, and followed his chosen occupation in Somerset County. He removed to Illinois in 1866 and established a large hotel at Princeton, Bureau County, but lost this by fire. He then removed to East Paw Paw, De Kalb County, purchased a farm and tilled the soil, but at the present time he is engaged in the farm implement business in West Paw Paw, Ill. He is an active Republican in politics and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. So. cially he belongs to the I. O. O. F. Lodge. A. J. Frantz passed his youthful days in Pennsylvania, and in 1864 entered the United States army in Company I, Third Maryland Infantry, participat- ing in a number of the principal engagements and numberless skirmishes. He was taken pris- oner August 11, 1864, at Berryville, Va., by Mosby's guerrillas while guarding a wagon train through from Harper's Ferry to Winchester, and taken to Belle Isle, whence after one month he was taken to Salisbury, N. C., and there remained six months. He was paroled the last of February, 1865, and discharged from service at Camp Pa- role, Annapolis, Md., by General Order No. 77, June 28, 1865. Returning to Pennsylvania after the war, he remained there until 1866, when he went to Illinois with his father's family. He was mar- ried at Leavenworth City, Kas., in 1870, to Miss Lucy Thompson, this union resulting in the birth of a daughter, December 4, 1871, who died February 10, 1880. In 1880 Mr. Frantz came to Nebraska, and to Clay County in 1885, purchasing 240 acres of land, which he has improved very much, and is now one of the foremost farmers of the county. In his political views he affiliates with the Re- publican party, and has been a delegate to the conventions a number of times. He is an active member of the school board, is a member of the Farmers' Alliance, the I. O. O. F., the G. A. R., and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

William H. Frazell is engaged in farming and stock-raising on 160 acres of land in Section 10, Harvard Township, Clay County, Neb., but is also the owner of forty acres more on Section 15. He was born near Oquawka, Henderson County, Ill., in 1848, and was the youngest of three children born to Jason and Margaret (Alder) Frazell, the former a native of Vermont, a son of Earl Frazell, and a cooper by trade. He removed to Ohio with his parents when a small boy, there received his schooling, and was married shortly after this event, removing to the State of Illinois, and settling in Henderson County, where his three children were born: Leonard E. (born in 1844), Esther A. (born in 1846) and William H. (born in the above-men- tioned year). The mother of these children was a daughter of Jonathan Alder, of Ohio, and was born in 1814 in that State, her death taking place in Illinois, in 1866. Jason Frazell had previously married Catherine Barler, but she died a year or so later, leaving one child: Desire (now Mrs. Black- burn, residing in Marshtown, Minn. ). Mr. Frazell's third and last marriage took place in 1886, and since that time he has lived a retired life in Gosper County, Neb. William H. Frazell spent his school-days in Illinois, and in 1866 started out in life for himself as a farmer, being married the same year, and in that State made his home until 1871, when he came to Nebraska and settled in Clay County, where he homesteaded eighty acres of land. He has since added forty acres to his original purchase, this property being purchased of the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad, and he is now considered one of the prosperous and wide awake farmers of this region. He is quite extensively engaged in stock raising, his horses being of an exceptionally good grade, and his property has been earned by hard and persistent endeavor. He learned the carpenter's trade in his early manhood, and in connection with his farming operations he carries on this business also, and has constructed some of the best buildings in the county, among which are many of his own build- ings. He is a Democrat in his political views, has served as a member of his district school board, and socially is a member of the Farmers' Alliance.

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He and his wife (whose maiden name was Mary S. Speck) are members of the United Brethren Church. She is a daughter of Frank Speck, of Illinois, and was born in 1848. They have a family of eight children: Alma E. (born in 1868, is the wife of Charles Hasloah, of Eldorado Township), Louis F., Olive A., Emma E .. Henry W., Ira L., Ella O. and Jennie E.

John W. French is one of the most successful and extensive farmers and stock raisers of Clay County, Neb. He owes his nativity to Essex County, England, his birth occurring at Chelms- ford in 1838, and is the son of William and Mary (Haverty) French, both natives of England, the father born about 1814 and the mother about 1816. The grandfather, Thomas French, was of English descent. On the mother's side our subject is of Irish descent, her ancestors coming from County Galway, Ireland. His grandmother (Haverty) came to America in 1854, bringing Mr. French with her, and he has never returned to his native country nor has he ever seen his family since. He and his grandmother landed in New York, went from there to Newark, N. J., and finally located in Jersey City of that State, where he remained until 1855. From there he went to Illinois, locating in Peoria County, where he remained until 1861, and then, on April 19 of that year, enlisted in Com pany A, Second Regiment Illinois Light Artillery, and served until September 14, 1864. The com- pany was ordered to Alton, Ill., on July 6. 1861, from there to St. Charles, Mo., and there the bat- tery was separated into detachments and sent to various places, meeting again at Jefferson Barracks, where the company was properly mustered into the Union service. They were ordered to Jeffer- son City by Fremont, thence to Boonville, Mo., Georgetown, etc. In the fall of 1861 it formed a part of Fremont's expedition to Springfield, but returned to Otterville and remained in the vicinity until January 27, 1862, when it was placed in Gen. Jeff C. Davis' division and ordered to Leb anon, Mo., to join the second expedition to Spring- field under Gen. Curtis. The battery was a part of Gen. Curtis' command at Pea . Ridge, Ark., Louis F. Fryar, ex county clerk, Clay Cen- fought March 7 and 8, 1862. Subsequently the ter, Neb. There are few men of the present day

battery was divided, and one section under Lieut. H. Barnes was left at Cassville, in Southwestern Missouri. Mr. French went with another division to Helena, Ark., where it remained until the spring of 1863, after which it joined the army of Gen. Grant, destined to operate against Vicksburg. It. took part in the battles of Port Hudson, Champion's Hill and Black River Bridge, at which place, by order of Gen. Lawler, it charged with the infantry upon the enemy's works, crossed the ditch sur- rounding the parapet, mounted their works, and again opened fire on them. This battery was in the front during the entire siege of Vicksburg, and upon the surrender of that place took part in the expedition against Johnston and assisted in the second taking of Jackson, Miss. Returning to Vicksburg, a part of the Thirteenth Army Corps was transferred to the Department of the Gulf. In 1863 it left for Carrollton, La., where it was joined by Lient. Barnes, and remained in New Orleans until Angust, 1864; then it formed against Mobile Bay and was in the engagement at Forts Gaines, Morgan and Powell. Returning to New Orleans, Mr. French came to Springfield, Ill., and was discharged September 14, 1864. He lived near Galva, Ill., and was married December 25, 1867, to Miss Julia M. Stanton, daughter of D. R. and Mary (Brace) Stanton. This union resulted in the birth of the following children: Walter M. (born October 22, 1868), Willie B. (born March 12, 1872). Freddie (deceased, born November 26, 1874), Frank L. (born November 26, 1874), Roy E. (born February 25, 1879). Delma J. (boru December 3, 1880), Nettie M. (born June 15, 1884) and John H. (born June 16, ISSS). Mr. French came to Nebraska in the fall of 1872, took a soldier homestead, and now has 160 acres of ex- cellent land, all fenced and well improved. He has forty five acres of good tame grass, raises a good grade of stock, selling quite a number every year, and is one of the representative farmers of this section. He is a member of Richardson Post No. 60, G. A. R., at Harvard. He is a Republican in politics.

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whom the world acknowledges as successful, more worthy of honorable mention, or whose life's his- tory affords a better example of what may be ac- complished by a determined will and perseverance, than Louis F. Fryar. He owes his nativity to Darke County, Ohio, where he was born on No- vember 1, 1842, his parents being Hezekiah and Delilah (Spencer) Fryar, natives, respectively, of Virginia and Maryland. The parents both spent the greater part of their lives and died in Darke County, Ohio. Louis F. Fryar passed his boy- hood days in securing an education in the common schools, and in 1860 went to Rock Island County, Ill., where in 1861 he enlisted in Company A, Thirty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served four years and nine months in the War of the Rebellion. Returning to Illinois, he resumed farm- ing and continued this until his removal to Ne- braska in 1869. He first located in Thayer County, and in the fall of 1870 he came to Clay County, locating at Liberty Farm. When the town of Fair- field was started a year and a half later, he re- moved to that place and engaged in the agricult- ural implement business. In 1882 he removed to Clay Center, where he has since resided. Mr. Fryar has always been a stanch Republican in politics and was elected by that party in the fall of 1881, as clerk of Clay County, which position he filled in a highly creditable manner for eight years, three successive terms. He was married to Miss Laura A. Bancroft, a native of New Hamp- shire and a distant relative of the famous histo- rian of that name, and the fruits of this union have been fonr living children, Louis C., Mabel, Myrtle and Earl. Mr. Fryar is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, being past master of Clay Center Lodge No. 139. He is also a K. of P., and belongs to the A. O. U. W. and G. A. R. He is one of the prominent men of the county.

William L. Gaddis, farmer and proprietor of an express line, Harvard, Neb. Mr. Gaddis, one of the most highly respected and deservedly pop- ular citizens of Harvard, was born in Clinton County, Ohio, on August 11, 1852, and is the son of Allen and Sarah J. (Yeo) Gaddis, the father a native of Pennsylvania, and born in Fayette

County, and the latter born near Winchester, Fred- erick County, Va. William L. Gaddis was early taught the duties of farm life and received his ed- ucation in the common schools. In early manhood he learned the carpenter's trade and in 1879 he emigrated to the West, settling on a farm near Harvard, Neb. He subsequently bought a farm of 160 acres in Linn Township, Clay County, and this he still owns, also a fine residence, and in Har- vard two business honses. In 1884 he removed from his farm to Harvard, and for the past two years has been proprietor of an express line. He was mar- ried on February 28, 1882, to Miss Rillie Burdick, a native of Juneau County, Wis., born February 10, 1859, and the daughter of Jared and Isabel (Jones) Burdick, her father a native of New York State and her mother of the Old Dominion. Mr. and Mrs. Gaddis are the parents of an only son, Earl B., who was born on March 22, 1885. Mr. Gaddis is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, the A. O. U. W., also the Select Knights, and in pol- itics affiliates with the Republican party. He is a thorough-going, industrious man and possesses in an eminent degree those qualities which are neces- sary to success. He is a first-class citizen and he and his wife are highly respected. Both are members of the Christian Church.

Charles E. Gaddis, dealer in confectionery, etc., Harvard, Neb. The American people, now the wealthiest, are rapidly acquiring the cognomen of the most luxurious people in the world. In their love of a rich diet they show their good sense, and their high living is seen in the enormous amount of work, both mental and physical, which they perform. It is for this reason that the manufacture of candy and fruit preserves has come to be one of the greatest interests of our country, and the estab- lishments in this line rank in standing and extent of trade with any class of business concerns. One of these institutions is conducted by Mr. Charles E. Gaddis, who was born in Warren County, Ohio, on April 23, 1859, and is the son of Allen and Sarah J. (Yec) Gaddis, natives, respectively, of Pennsyl- vania and Virginia, and the grandson of William Gaddis. His maternal grandparents were John and Elizabeth Yeo. To the marriage of Mr. and

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Author: Goodspeed Brothers Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago, The Goodspeed publishing co. Number of Pages: 820

Author: Goodspeed Brothers
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago, The Goodspeed publishing co.
Number of Pages: 820